Matheesha Pathirana undergoes surgery after support from Kolkata Knight Riders & Sri Lanka Cricket

Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has undergone surgery on his left hamstring with support from his board, Sri Lanka Cricket and his Indian Premier League side, Kolkata Knight Riders. The successful operation took place in France with the 23-year-old on his road to recovery before returning to competitive action.

Pathirana picked up the injury during the recently concluded IPL season in KKR's game against the Gujarat Titans on May 16. He bowled just eight balls in the match before having to leave the field in agony. The right-arm fast bowler, however, has gone under the knife and will aim to return to the cricket field sooner rather than later. 

"Matheesha Pathirana has successfully undergone a left biceps femoris open surgical hamstring repair and has now begun the road to recovery in France. This journey was made possible with the outstanding support of Sri Lanka Cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders and we are truly grateful for their commitment to his wellbeing. He will work hard, stay focused and be back doing what he loves soon. See you back on the field stronger than ever," Pathirana's manager said on an Instagram post. 

Pathirana was a huge INR 18 crore buy for KKR in the mini auction ahead of the 2026 season. The former Chennai Super Kings bowler, however, already arrived late to the tournament after picking up a calf injury during the T20 World Cup. And even after his arrival and subsequent fitness tests, the Sri Lankan international lasted for less than two overs. His injury prompted the 2024 IPL champions to sign Luvnith Sisodia as an injury replacement towards the end of the season. 

The fast bowler's injury also saw him miss out on Sri Lanka's all-format tour to the West Indies, where they lost the T20I series but went on to win the three-match ODI series 1-0.